Australia turned the tables on England with a dominant second day at the Gabba, delivering a taste of the same aggressive, high-pressure batting style that the tourists have proudly marketed as Bazball. Instead of dictating the tempo, England found themselves overwhelmed by relentless scoring, sloppy execution and a lack of control that left former players openly questioning the quality of their attack.
By stumps, Australia had reached 6-335 from just 65 overs, snatching a first-innings lead of one run. But the numbers only tell part of the story. Throughout the day, England's quicks were routinely criticised — not only by commentators but by the country’s own cricketing greats — as Australia piled on runs at more than five an over.
Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith all posted strong half-centuries, thriving on a pitch that offered little assistance but still demanded discipline England couldn't consistently provide.
Former Stars Unleash Brutal Critiques
Few assessments were as scathing as those from Mark Waugh, the ex-Australian Test batsman who delivered a pointed review of Brydon Carse’s early spell. While Carse later recovered to claim the important wicket of Steve Smith, Waugh didn’t hesitate to call out the lack of precision.
“He’s bowled poorly. He hasn’t put two balls in the one spot in any over,” Waugh said during commentary.
“At this level, you’ve got to be better. Look at this pitch map, that’s third-grade standard. That’s all over the place.”
Even England’s legendary quick Stuart Broad didn’t hold back, suggesting the tourists had been underprepared for a high-intensity Test in Brisbane.
“There is a big difference between bowling in nets and bowling in matches,” Broad said on Channel 7.
“We know Perth was only a two day game, the workloads of these bowlers weren’t particularly high, and all they have been able to do leading into this game is bowl in nets or bowl to a mitt. Such a different scenario when each ball matters and there’s a result in each ball.
“They just look like they’re short of match awareness, match fitness, the sharpness in the brain to be able to bowl six balls in the same spot. The first 20 overs are the time you need to make your breakthroughs and 1-127 is an absolute disaster.”
Broad’s words proved a harsh but accurate summary of England’s opening burst. Australia cashed in throughout the first two sessions, putting the visitors under immediate pressure and forcing England into reactive, scattered plans.
Carse’s Rollercoaster: From Criticism to Breakthrough
Despite his rough start, Carse eventually found a rhythm — or at least moments of it. His revival came during a chaotic sequence in which Cam Green, attempting to back away from multiple short balls, was undone by a well-directed yorker on 45.
The next delivery should have removed Alex Carey, who gloved a catchable ball only for Ben Duckett to drop one of the simplest chances of the match. But the reprieve barely mattered. One ball later, Steve Smith played a casual pull shot into the leg side, only for Will Jacks to pluck a stunning one-handed catch, ending Smith’s impressive innings on 61.
By that point, Smith and Green had absorbed several blows — Green took a delivery to the thumb that drew blood, while Smith copped a rising ball square on the elbow — but both continued with the same level of controlled aggression that had England rattled.
Labuschagne Falls Short as Pink-Ball Mastery Continues
Marnus Labuschagne appeared well on track for a drought-breaking century, looking as fluent as he had at any time in the past three years. Having not scored a Test ton since July 2023, he appeared primed to finally end the wait, especially after becoming the first player ever to surpass 1000 runs in day-night Tests.
His innings ended on 65 when a cramped cut shot feathered through to Jamie Smith off the bowling of Ben Stokes. While frustrated, Labuschagne walked off knowing he had laid the foundation for Australia’s run surge and had exposed England’s inability to sustain pressure.
England’s short-ball ploy only helped Labuschagne further. He punished Carse relentlessly, lifting one boundary over the cordon to raise his fifty and repeatedly capitalising on the bowler’s inconsistency.
Weatherald and Head Signal New Opening Promise
Earlier in the day, Weatherald’s vibrant 72 — scored with bold cuts, pulls and inventive strokes — set the tone for Australia’s acceleration. His half-century arrived from just 45 balls, making it the second-fastest by an Australian opener at the Gabba.
Travis Head contributed 33 in a 77-run stand that suggested Australia may have found a winning combination at the top of the order. Weatherald even showcased one of the shots of the day when he arched backward to flick Carse over third man for six, a moment that drew roars from the crowd and raised eyebrows in the English camp.
Head, however, fell in disappointing fashion, skying a full delivery straight to mid-on and leaving the field visibly frustrated — a far cry from the confidence that marked his century in Perth.
Inglis Adds Frustration for Stokes
Josh Inglis, playing in his second Test, added more irritation for the already exasperated England captain. His flurry of boundaries through and over the slip cordon tested Stokes’ patience, and even when he edged another chance, Duckett shelled it again — his third costly miss of the innings.
Stokes eventually took matters into his own hands, firing a superb delivery that crashed into Inglis’ stumps on 23.
England Left Searching for Answers
Even under lights, where England hoped the pink ball might rescue them, Australia refused to let up. Loose balls disappeared, plans crumbled, and momentum never swung in England’s favour for more than a handful of deliveries at a time.
By the time the day ended, the tourists were left facing the harsh reality: their bowling lacked control, bite and clarity — and Australia had capitalised at every turn.
If day two was any sign, the remainder of the Test may hinge on whether England can rediscover discipline or whether Australia continues dictating the tempo with their own brand of Bazball-inspired dominance.
